SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015

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aittimes.net

02Kach Umandap: A Filipinatraveler on around the

world journey! 07FBC’s 8th ‘versarytourney enters 2nd week

MANILA: Malacanang admitted yesterday that the timeline for thepassage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) by Congresswill inevitably suffer an indefinite delay due to the bloodyencounter in Maguindanao between policemen and Muslimrebels. “At this point, the peace panel and the presidential adviseron the peace process is cognizant that there is already a delay inthe timetable,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte toldreporters in an informal briefing. The proposed BBL is the productof peace talks between the Aquino administration and the MoroIslamic Liberation Front, and will create an autonomousBangsamoro region in Mindanao. — The Philippine Star

Palace admits delayin passage of BBL

BAGUIO CITY: Some members of the Philippine MilitaryAcademy (PMA) Class of 1967 wore black armbands at thealumni homecoming held here on Saturday in sympathy forthe fallen members of the Philippine National Police SpecialAction Force (PNP-SAF).

“This is in sympathy for what happened in Mamasapanobecause they were our comrade in arms,” said retired Brig.Gen. Pert Molato, who used to be with the SouthernPhilippines Development Authority. He said during his time,they were able to pacify the leaders of the Moro NationalLiberation Front.

A bungled police operation aimed to get two known ter-rorists Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and Basit Usman on Jan.25 turned out to be the bloodiest in the history of SAF, with44 police officers killed.

The policemen figured with members of the Moro IslamicLiberation Front and its breakaway group, the BangsamoroIslamic Freedom Fighters For Molato, the incident was a“divine intervention” of sorts.

“If it did not happen, the [Bangsamoro Basic Law] wouldhave passed [easily] through Congress,” he said.

The government is working on a peace deal with theMILF for the BBL, which would replace the AutonomousRegion in Muslim Mindanao. He said that he was prayingthat the Congress would look at who the government wasdealing with.

Even if they were able to pacify the MNLF then, he saidthe MILF sprouted after the Tripoli Agreement.

“The MNLF was claiming MILF was not part of them,this was a splinter group. We haven’t even signed the BBLbut the BIFF is already there so it’s going to be an endlesscycle,” he said. Thousands of alumni of PMA have gatheredat the Borromeo Field at Fort del Pilar for the homecom-ing.— Inquirer.net

PMA ’67 members sympathizewith SAF comrades

LAS VEGAS: These two file photos show US boxer Floyd Mayweather, left gesturing to the crowd after his super welter-weight title bout against Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas, Nevada; and Manny Pacquiao of the Philippinespreparing for a media workout at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, California. Filipino boxing icon MannyPacquiao will meet Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas on May 2, 2015 in the mega-fight their fans have long clamored for,Mayweather confirmed yesterday. —AFP

LOS ANGELES: Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao will meetunbeaten American Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas on May 2in a fight fans have long craved between the finest boxers oftheir generation. Unbeaten American Mayweather made thelong-awaited announcement on Friday via the social mediawebsite Shots.com, ending weeks of increasingly intense spec-ulation that the showdown had been set.

“What the world has been waiting for has arrived.Mayweather vs. Pacquiao on May 2, 2015, is a done deal,”Mayweather wrote. “I promised the fans we would get thisdone, and we did,” he added, posting a picture of a signed con-

tract. Pacquiao, the only fighter to win world titles in eightweight divisions, dedicated the fight at the MGM GrandGarden Arena to fans who “willed” it into being.

“I am very happy that Floyd Mayweather and I can give thefans the fight they have wanted for so many years,” saidPacquiao, who also posted a picture of the contract on Twitter.

“They have waited long enough and they deserve it.”In Manila, Pacquiao’s business manager Eric Pineda said

they knew in advance of the match but had left it toMayweather to make the announcement.

Continued on Page 7

Finally!Pacquiao-Mayweather will meet in May

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 2

Have you heard about a young Filipina in her20’s, “backpacking” her way around theworld on a mission to reach Antartica?

Kach Umandap is a twenty six year-old Filipina,originally from San Pablo, Laguna, who was oncean OFW in Kuwait.

After completing her Economics degree in theUniversity of the Philippines, Los Banos, her fatherdecided to bring her to Kuwait to enroll in aninternship program with the Philippine LaborOffice.

It was initially a temporary visit for her, but sheended up spending the next four years working

with Maidan Group in their Quality AssuranceDepartment.

Her family is active in the Filipino communitywhich exposed her to all of the gatherings that goalong with that. Yet, despite having a successful,promising career and great social network inKuwait, she decided to leave the country lastDecember 2013; not to return to the Philippines,but for a more exciting and fulfilling life: a life oflong-term travel!

Backpacking is not yet a common pursuit for allof us, but it’s the cheapest way to travel; staying inshared dorm hostels, hitchhiking, volunteeringand crossing different borders by land transporta-tion instead of flying!

Kach started her trip by working for a shorttime in Kurdistan, this fearless Filipina wasn’t afraidof life in North Iraq and still insists that the regionis one of the best places in the world!

She then started her solo backpacking journeythroughout South East Asia, with a daily budget ofjust $10 to $15 per day (400 to 600 PHP). She vol-unteered and worked in hostels in exchange forbed and food before meeting her travel compan-ion and boyfriend, Jonathan, a British backpackerwho left his formal life and architectural job in theUK to travel the world! Kach and Jon have nowtravelled to more than 25 countries in Asia andEurope and they are now exploring South Americawhile preparing for their trip to Antarctica inNovember 2015. They sustain their trips by volun-teering, teaching English, teaching Yoga and evenpracticing the ancient art of authentic Ayurvedamassage therapy! They were even a guest on TVshow in Peru demonstrating the now famousIndian healing massage therapy.

She’s currently writing a book about her adven-tures exploring the world with a sustainable travel-ling lifestyle. Watch out for it!

If you want to follow Kach’s journey to becomethe first Filipina in her 20’s to set foot on all conti-nents including Antarctica while backpacking,check out her website:http://twomonkeystravel-group.com or Follow them on Social Media:Facebook,www.facebook.com/twomonkeystravelor Instagram, http://instagram.com/kach2mon-keys —definitelyfilipino.com

Kach Umandap: Around the world journey!

Sky Diving, Dubai Taj Mahal, India

Motorbike trip-North Vietnam

Glacier Trek, Patagonia, Chile Trek to Machu Picchu, Peru

Once an OFW in Kuwait

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 5

A star-studded golden birthday of Al Alamiah Manpower Agency owner/President Dolor Suarez Elenany was celebrated last Thursday at the Crown Plaza Hotel in the presence ofsome distinguished personalities from the Filipino community in Kuwait, embassy officials, and guests from the Philippines! Her family headed by husband Raed, kids and ALLFILOK family and friends wish her well and more birthdays to come!

Dolores Elenany 50th birthday, star-studded

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 7

Continued from Page 1

“We just kept it under wraps,” he told AFP.“He has been training (for) two weeks,” Pineda

said, adding that Pacquiao would leave for theUnited States in the first week of March.

“This is his toughest fight,” Pineda said. The welterweight world title showdown —

Mayweather owns the World Boxing Council andWorld Boxing Association titles and Pacquiao theWorld Boxing Organization crown — is sure tobe the richest in boxing history, generating mas-sive pay-per-view revenue.

“This is the biggest boxing event of all time,we’re confident of that,” Ken Hershman, presi-dent of HBO Sports said. “We couldn’t be proud-er to be a part of it and help craft it.”

Certainly the bout, more than five years in themaking, is expected to break records — for gatereceipts as well as pay-per-view audience andrevenue.

US media reported that Mayweather willreceive 60 percent of the purse and stands tomake some $120 million, Pacquiao taking $80million.

More importantly for fans, it will finally pit thetwo boxers long considered the best “pound-for-pound” fighters of their generation against eachother.

Previous bids to put together a fight betweenthe two — most notably in late 2009 — had runaground over various issues, including divisionof the purse and a drug testing protocol.

Animosity between Mayweather’s camp andPacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum has also been astumbling block.

After the fight failed to materialize in 2010,some of the gloss came off the potential show-down when Pacquiao suffered two straightdefeats in 2012, a dubious split-decision loss toTimothy Bradley and a knockout loss to JuanManuel Marquez in his fourth bout against theMexican.

Since then, however, the Filipino southpawhas won three fights in a row and will take arecord of 57-5 with two drawn and 38 knockoutsinto the May 2 fight.

“Pac-Man,” who is 36, won an impressiveunanimous decision over Chris Algieri in Macaolast November.

Mayweather, 47-0 with 26 knockouts, turns38 on Tuesday and has two more fights in theShowtime deal that has made him the highest-paid athlete in the world.

He is homing in on the iconic 49-0 record of1950s legend Rocky Marciano, who retired as anundefeated heavyweight champion.

The fact that Pacquiao is contracted to HBOand Mayweather to Showtime was anotherthorny issue, and the rival firms are collaboratingon the pay-per-view telecast.

“This deal is the product of a lot of hard work,”said Stephen Espinoza, the executive vice presi-dent and general manager at Showtime Sports.

- Tyson-Lewis roadmap -HBO and Showtime have worked together

before, teaming up in 2002 for the fight betweenthen-heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, whowas with HBO, and former champion MikeTyson, who was with Showtime.

Hershman said the Tyson-Lewis bout was a“great roadmap” for Pacquiao-Mayweather.

“It showed that this can be done successfully,”he said.

Both fighters said after their most recent vic-

tories that their showdown should happen.In January, the two met unexpectedly at a

Miami Heat NBA game and arranged a meetingat which discussions apparently got serious.

Pacquiao said last week he had agreed to thedrug-testing procedures Mayweather wanted aswell as other demands, and he believed anannouncement of the fight was imminent.

A British newspaper reported last Sundaythat Mayweather could announce the bout atthe NBA All-Star Game in New York.

In a brief courtside interview, however,Mayweather denied the deal was done, leavingfans to wonder if talks had stalled again.

But no, boxing’s latest “fight of the century” ison.

“Floyd should enjoy being the A-side whilehe can,” Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach said.“Because on May 2, Manny is going to put himon his backside.”

The brash “Money” Mayweather was havingnone of it.

“Manny is going to try to do what 47 beforehim failed to do, but he won’t be successful,”Mayweather said. “He will be number 48.”—AFP

Finally! Pacquiao-Mayweather will meet in May

KUWAIT: The Filipino Badminton Committee (FBC) 8th anniver-sary tournament entered second week as participants continueto show their smashing skills at Kuwait Disabled Sports Club, BinKhaldoun Hawalli. The tournament enters its final eliminationround and will continue its semi-finals elimination on February27.

Meantime, FBC is all set to its grand awarding on February 27at Crowne Plaza Hotel in line with its 8th Founding Anniversarycelebration. - Philippines top showbiz columnist Rey Pumaloy willbe hosting the event with the special presentation from Dr. KrissyDelos Santos, Jumel Carvajal, Birit King Mark Lopez, Mega VoiceGrand Champion Tanya Dawood and Teen Idol Najwa Lacson.

Expected to grace the event to award the prizes are Charge ‘daffaires Atty. Raul Dado and Labor Attache Cezar Chaves and othePhilippine Embassy Officials. FBC Chairman Dr. Chie Umandap isinviting all its past and current members to attend the FBCAnniversary and reunion. For invitation reservation kindly call97197268.

FBC’s 8th ’versary tourney enters 2nd week

By Zander Grande

KUWAIT: After Swooping Eagles, the Asian Air Safari pulled offanother upset at the Philippine Bowling Association in Kuwait1st Season League Team Tournament seventh week elimina-tion round, this time against Original Pin Killers with the scoreof 2683-2577. What made the victory even more distinctive isthat they played 4-man team throughout the 3-game series.With the win, Asian Air Safari has a bigger chance of reachingthe quarterfinals now that it move up in a better position.

Despite playing with depleted lineup, the four teammates ofAsian Air Safari showed their audacity and fought like true war-riors in the first game losing with the score of 842-884. In thesecond game, waiting for rest back but nobody showed up,the Safari team face their nemesis with a brave heart. MandyManalo scored 222 points with Sonia Mathews’ 184 stunnedthe Original Pin Killers and won the game 883-848. Before thestart of the third encounter, the score was 1757-1750 favoringthe OPK with 7 pins advantage. The gallantry continues in thefinal game when Sonia scored her best’ 206 supported byMandy’s 187 while the top scorers of the other team lost theirstamina and resulted to 883-820. Asian Air four courageousbowlers were Sonia Mathews 559, Mandy Manalo 558, Ganidela Cruz 511 and Angelo Bautista 422 while Original Pin Killerstop scorer was the holder of individual high scorer GregMelancon 609 supported by Christopher Bush (504), Ishaaq AlWaahid, Alma Turley and Jelyn Colegio. With the win-loseresult, Asian Air Safari occupies the tenth spot while Pin Killersdropped from fourth to sixth position.

After slipping down in the standing midway due to two con-secutive losses, Bowlersmate clawed back into contention andturned in an impressive 2796-2686 victory over Nusantara andenable them to move up from sixth to fourth place. In Game 1,the amiable Bowlersmate curtseyed to fearless Nusantara 850-928 who was aiming for a sweep to jump for a better and saferplace. But the Bowlersmate become furious in the secondgame 953-864 and continued like a raging bull in Game 3 withthe score of 943-869. Jess Tolentino (513) piloted his victoriousteam and assisted by Fe Ferrer (502), Rasherd Akher Ali, Ali AdelAta Khalil, Aji Varghese and Hammad Yassen while Nusantara

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015

Dolores Elenany 50thbirthday, star-studded

Page 5

Individual High Game Individual High AverageMens-A Greg Melancon 280 Mohannad Ebrahim 204.66Mens-B Danny Solis 234 Saleh Al Faraj 180.92Mens-C Moises Amahan 238 Moises Amahan 162.76Ladies A Mina Andaya 226 Marjorie Mercado 177.38Ladies B Angie Bush 193 Angie Bush 156.22

Team High Game (Scratch) - All Star Strikers (971)Team High Series (Scratch + Handicap) Cozmo (2852) Team Weekly SeriesWeek 1 - Original Pin Killers 2697Week 2 - Z’CLAS Strikers 2724Week 3 - LEAF 2756Week 4 - All Star Strikers 2828Week 5 - Swooping Eagles 2809Week 6 - LEAF 2791Week 7 - All Star Strikers 2848

Asian Air Safari pulls off shockeragainst Original Pin Killers

high scorer was Saleh Al Faraj (540) followed by EndangWendy,Benyamin Hasan, Ahmad Fahmi, Naning Handayam, Abel andLaras Nitikusumo.

Cozmo team continued its third winning streak and cut offthe fourth week winning spree of UAE Exchange 2835-2809.Despite the defeat, the remittance King remain holding the lastseat of the elite group with 30 marks advantage over its closestrival, the Swooping Eagles while Cozmo still hold the secondtop post. Cozmo’s quintet were Noe Mahayag (620), FaridGabriel (613), Jun Husmillo (550), Mike Gonzales (470) andJeanette Angeles 339) while UAE Exchange, the top scorerswere Rudy de Lima (591), Rani Skeik (564), Michelle Avila (562),Omar Al Saqran (486) and Aldin Avila (494).

Other results: The All Star Strikers posted its fifth straightwin after shooting down the Swooping Eagles (2948-2619)and still the toprank. With the win, All Star won the team week-ly series. Z’CLAS Strikers dip Thunder Dragons in its prison cell(2645-2571) and finally LEAF silenced the tail ender VelocityWonders (2691-2571).

Official results of the Seventh round: 1. All Stars Strikers(19518); 2. Cozmo (19308); 3. Z’CLAS Strikers (18916); 4.Bowlersmate (18897); 5. LEAF (18849); 6. Original Pin Killers

(18790); 7. Nusantara (18641); 8. UAE Exchange (18502); 9.Swooping Eagles (18197); 10. Asian Air Safari (18150); 11.Thunder Dragons (18114); and 12. Velocity Wonders (17004).